Colombia kills ELN rebel 10 days before peace talks

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombia's military killed a guerrilla belonging to the country's second-largest rebel movement in combat just 10 days before peace talks with the group are scheduled to begin.

The army on Monday said that six other members of the National Liberation Army, including two minors, were captured during the ambush of a rebel unit dedicated to extortion in three eastern states. The firefight took place at more than 3,800 meters (12,460 feet) above sea level.

The ELN and government this month announced they are starting peace talks on Oct. 27 in Ecuador.

The announcement helped boost sentiments following the near collapse of a peace deal with the much-larger Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia following its defeat in a referendum earlier this month.